What’s to do Halloween weekend in Prince William County

Superheroes, goblins, ghouls, monsters and all manner of creatures are welcome at Prince William County’s public libraries this Halloween season for costume parades, scary and not-so-scary stories, trick-or-treating, games and snacks.

The Potomac Community Library, at 2201 Opitz Blvd. in Woodbridge, will host a Halloween party between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 28 in the library’s community room. Children are encouraged to wear their costumes. There will be games, stories, crafts and a lot of fun that will wrap up with a quick trick-or-treat trip around the library. The event will be limited to the first 50 children. Call 703-792-8330 for more information.

Also on Oct. 28, the Bull Run Regional Library will welcome preschoolers between 11 a.m. and noon for stories, snacks, music and a parade of costumes. The library is located at 8051 Ashton Ave. in Manassas. Call 703-792-4500 for more information.

The Potomac Community Library is asking preschoolers, between 18 and 36 months, and their caregivers to come to the library for a Halloween party between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Oct. 30. Children will hear stories, sing songs and trick-or-treat at the end of the drop-in event. The library is located at 2201 Opitz Blvd. in Woodbridge. Call 703-792-8330 for more information.

The Nokesville Neighborhood Library will hold its Halloween party between 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on Oct. 31. Children can come in costume and enjoy stories and crafts. The library is located at 12993 Fitzwater Drive in Nokesville. Call 703-792-5665 for more information.

Also on Oct. 31, the Central Community Library will be having a Halloween party between 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. No registration is necessary for the event, which will include stories, a treat and a parade of costumes. Guests are invited to dress for the holiday and some of the librarians might be in costume as well. The library is located at 8601 Mathis Ave. in Manassas. Call 703-792-8360 for more information.

Last, but not least, Chinn Park Regional Library will hold its parade of costumes for preschoolers between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 31 in the library’s community room. Children who attend the event will hear stories, sing songs and parade in costume around the library. The library is located at 13065 Chinn Park Drive near Lake Ridge. Call 703-792-4800 for more information.

Spokesman Andrew Spence said the libraries pull out all the stops for the season. “October is a great month to visit your library because we do Halloween right. We will have spooky movies, parties and costume parades. There are Halloween happenings for all ages.”

The Prince William County Historic Preservation Division also has a couple of spooky events that will fit in with the scary season.

The Ben Lomond House, at 10321 Sudley Manor Drive in Manassas, will be open for rare nighttime tours from 7-10 p.m. on Oct. 28. The house was used as a Confederate hospital after the Battle of the First Manassas. Visitors will be able to tour the house and grounds of the recreated hospital and hear stories of the soldiers, doctors and loved ones whose lives were changed by the Civil War. Advance registration is strongly recommended for the $10 tours that run every 20 minutes. The tours are not suggested for children under 12. Call 703-367-7872 for more information.

Or join local historians for walking tours of the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre at 11 a.m. ,1 p.m. and 3 p.m. There have been many cemeteries in the area over the last 200 years. Unfortunately, some have been lost to time, but others remain. Learn about some of the little-known spots in the area. Tours are $5 per person. Call 703-365-7895 for more information.